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Union flag protests: Police attacked and traffic disrupted Union flag protests: Police attacked and traffic disrupted
(35 minutes later)
Petrol bombs have been thrown at police in Newtownabbey, County Antrim. Police have fired a plastic bullet after being attacked by a crowd of more than 100 loyalists throwing missiles in Carrickfergus, County Antrim.
Fireworks and rocks have been thrown at officers in the Cloughfern area as union flag protests again caused href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20985522" >traffic disruption in Northern Ireland. Fireworks, petrol bombs and rocks have also been thrown at officers in the Cloughfern area of Newtownabbey.
Police have fired a plastic bullet in Carrickfergus, after being attacked by a crowd of about 100 people. The violence came as union flag protests again caused href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20985522" >traffic disruption in Northern Ireland.
The protests began in some areas at 15:00 GMT and have taken place across Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, Londonderry. They began in some areas at 15:00 GMT and took place in Counties Antrim, Armagh, Down, and Londonderry.
A number of roads have been closed and a bus has been set alight. Many arterial routes in Belfast were blocked by loyalist protesters angry at the decision of Belfast City Council to restrict the flying of the union flag from Belfast City Hall.
It is believed police have used water cannon on the Shore Road in Whiteabbey and it has also been deployed in Newtownabbey. A bus was set alight near the Rathcoole estate in Newtownabbey.
So far there have been no reports of violence in Belfast.
Police used water cannon on the Shore Road in Whiteabbey and it was also deployed in Newtownabbey.
There have been 39 days of protests over Belfast City Council's decision to fly the flag on designated days only.There have been 39 days of protests over Belfast City Council's decision to fly the flag on designated days only.
Translink has confirmed that all its metro services have been suspended apart from Falls Road Services and buses to Belfast International Airport. Translink suspended all its bus serivces in Belfast, apart from Falls Road services and buses to Belfast International Airport.
Police said that due to ongoing protests, access to Ravenhill stadium for the Heineken Cup pool match between Ulster and Glasgow has been difficult. Police said that due to ongoing protests, access to Ravenhill stadium for the Heineken Cup pool match between Ulster and Glasgow was difficult.
Thousands of supporters have encountered delays. Thousands of supporters encountered delays.
There were also protests in Glasgow and in Liverpool at 18:00 GMT on Friday.There were also protests in Glasgow and in Liverpool at 18:00 GMT on Friday.
Operation Sit in Operation Sit In
Meanwhile, people have used social media to initiate Operation Sit In - a counter to the protests that has encouraged people to come out regardless and support their local pubs or restaurants. Meanwhile, people used social media to initiate Operation Sit In - a counter to the protests that has encouraged people to come out regardless and support their local pubs or restaurants.
Stephen Magorrian, the managing director of Botanic Inns, said people could have a great night out in the city centre.Stephen Magorrian, the managing director of Botanic Inns, said people could have a great night out in the city centre.
"The protesters have told us where they are going to be and when so why are we panicking?" he asked.
"Be sensible, plan your journey and make sure you know where and when the protest is.
"There is great entertainment, so stay in the city. We need the support."There is great entertainment, so stay in the city. We need the support.
"Things are still going and we have some of the best restaurants and bars, but if we don't support them we will lose them.""Things are still going and we have some of the best restaurants and bars, but if we don't support them we will lose them."